THE SWEET DRUMMER MICK TUCKER DIES

THE SWEET drummer MICK TUCKER has died following a long battle with leukaemia, aged 54.

Tucker formed an integral part of the Glam-rock giants throughout the ’70s. Their hits included a UK Number One single ‘Blockbuster’ in 1973 and, later that year, the follow-ups ‘Hell Raiser’ and ‘Ballroom Blitz’, both of which reached Number Two.

BBC news reports that Tucker died in hospital yesterday morning (February 14) in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. He is survived by wife Janet and daughter Aysten.

Bassist Steve Priest commented: “He was the best drummer England ever produced and it is a sad loss to the music world. It was a little bit sudden, to be honest. He was on the verge of leukaemia five years ago but had a bone marrow transplant from his brother, which stopped him getting it, but he was never the same.”

Guitarist Andy Scott added: “Mick Tucker was the best drummer around in the ’70s. I played in the same band as him and was proud to do so. I feel extreme sadness therefore that he has now left us and my heart goes out to Janet and Aysten with their sad loss.”